Problems decrypting my files.

[Guest]

Hey,

I had a bunch of my files encrypted on my computer. I then without
thinking reinstalled windows, same version mind you, and didn't backup my
certificates. Now I'm in a situation where I can't decrypt my files and can't
figure out how to give myself the rights without my previous account, which
doesn't exist anymore.

I've created a Recovery Agent and made sure it's trusted, but it's
useless beings how I created it AFTER the files were encrypted and the
account that created them was deleted.

Please don't tell me I've permanently lost my files.

Thanks.

 

[Kerry Brown]

Hey,

I had a bunch of my files encrypted on my computer. I then without
thinking reinstalled windows, same version mind you, and didn't backup my
certificates. Now I'm in a situation where I can't decrypt my files and
can't
figure out how to give myself the rights without my previous account,
which
doesn't exist anymore.

I've created a Recovery Agent and made sure it's trusted, but it's
useless beings how I created it AFTER the files were encrypted and the
account that created them was deleted.

Please don't tell me I've permanently lost my files.

Thanks.

If you have a backup of your previous user profile they may be recoverable.
If not then they aren't.

Kerry

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

You can not create a Recovery Agent after the fact and expect it to work.
Without the original keys, your data is as good as gone.

See the links near the bottom of this page for ways to help prevent this in
the future:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/encrypt.htm